Mitochondrial Myopathy: A Rare Cause of Early-Onset Vocal Fold Atrophy

Abstract

Objectives:

We present the second published case of laryngeal involvement in mitochondrial myopathy.

Methods:

A patient with laryngeal involvement of mitochondrial myopathy is presented, together with a literature review.

Results:

A 41-year-old man presented with progressive breathy dysphonia. His brother had mitochondrial myopathy. Biopsy of the biceps muscle demonstrated cytochrome C oxidase–negative ragged blue fibers confirming mitochondrial myopathy. Videostroboscopy showed marked vocal fold atrophy, but subsequent injection laryngoplasty did not significantly improve the patient's voice, despite improved postoperative glottic closure.

Conclusions:

Mitochondrial myopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe early-onset vocal fold atrophy.